Coventry City have completed the £9m signing of Nigeria forward Taiwo Awoniyi from Nottingham Forest.
The 29-year-old arrives ahead of Friday’s Premier League opener away to champions Arsenal, as Coventry return to the top flight after 25 years. Awoniyi received a guard of honour from Forest players and staff at half-time of their final pre-season friendly against Brest on Sunday, bidding farewell to the City Ground after four seasons.
Forest head coach Oliver Glasner praised Awoniyi’s character and commitment, saying he always gave everything for the team and deserved the send-off, while wishing him well—apart from when facing Forest.
Awoniyi joined Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 for a then club-record £17.2m. He scored 23 goals in 103 appearances but slipped behind Chris Wood and Igor Jesus in the pecking order and missed last season’s Europa League squad. He started only three matches last season, scoring four times in 17 outings across all competitions. In May 2025, he was placed in an induced coma after rupturing an intestine when he collided with a post in a match against Leicester.
Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis said Awoniyi will always hold a special place in the club’s history, having delivered unforgettable moments for supporters.
Coventry’s Premier League return has also seen the re-signing of midfielder Gus Hamer from Sheffield United and goalkeeper Carl Rushworth following his successful loan from Brighton. Winger Loum Tchaouna has joined from Burnley, defender Aurèle Amenda arrives from Eintracht Frankfurt, and Ghana international Caleb Yirenkyi has signed from Nordsjaelland.
With Haji Wright injured, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Ellis Simms are Frank Lampard’s fit striking options ahead of the Arsenal game.